NCJ Number
55825
Date Published
1977
Length
212 pages
Annotation
A COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY PLAN FOR A 1,100-UNIT PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT IN WASHINGTON, D.C., IS PRESENTED. BOTH THE PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS LEADING TO VULNERABILITY OF RESIDENTS ARE ADDRESSED.
Abstract
MAPS, SITE PLANS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND POLICE STATISTICS ARE USED TO DOCUMENT THE HIGH CRIME RATES IN THIS PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT AND THE REASONS FOR THIS HIGH CRIME VULNERABILITY. THE BUILDINGS RANGE IN SIZE FROM SIX-STORY EVEVATORY BUILDINGS TO THREE-STORY WALKUP APARTMENTS AND TWO-STORY TOWNHOUSES. THE AREA IS GENERALLY DILAPIDATED. POORLY DESIGNED ACCESS AND A NUMBER OF OTHER PHYSICAL FEATURES MAKE THE PROJECT DIFFICULT TO PATROL. THE RESIDENTS, MOST OF WHOM ARE WELFARE RECIPIENTS, HAVE A HIGH FEAR OF BEING VICTIMIZED. (MORE THAN 83 PERCENT FELT THERE WAS A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF BEING THE VICTIM OF A SUCCESSFUL BURGLARY IN THE YEAR AHEAD, EVEN THOUGH THE ACTUAL SUCCESSFUL BURGLARY RATE IS 9.5 PERCENT.) THE REPORT FOCUSES ON PHYSICAL SECURITY MEASURES SUCH AS DEFINING PUBLIC AREAS, INCREASING NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEILLANCE, AND IMPROVING LOCKS AND PHYSICAL SECURITY. IT SUGGESTS A NUMBER OF SOCIAL ACTIONS TO IMPROVE SECURITY, INCLUDING THE FORMING OF A TENANT COUNCIL, SUBDIVIDING THE LARGE PROJECT INTO 12 NEIGHBORHOODS WITH NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS, ESTABLISHING A CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAM WHICH LINKS EACH NEIGHBORHOOD WITH SOCIAL SERVICES, PROVIDING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE SITE, AND INVOLVING TENANTS IN SECURITY PLANNING. VICTIMIZATION DATA, COST ESTIMATES, AND SPECIFICATION ARE PRESENTED IN A SERIES OF CHARTS AND TABLES. APPENDIXES CONTAIN AN OVERVIEW OF THE VICTIMIZATION PROBLEM, A LISTING OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS SERVING CAPPER DWELLINGS RESIDENTS, A DETAILED PLAN FOR CONTROLLED ENTRANCE WAYS IN THE MULTILEVEL BUILDINGS, AND A REPORT ON CRIME AND THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES. (GLR)